Queens serial store burglar caught on surveillance video

Police in Queens who are searching for a meticulous burglar thought to be behind at least eight incidents since mid-January have a new clue they hope will lead to an arrest.

In the most recent robbery, the thief cut his way through the roof of a grocery store on Jamaica Avenue and 90th Street in Woodhaven. He then went shopping for everything from phone cards to toilet paper, even breaking into a lottery machine for the cash.

He made off with about $1,000 and $600 worth of phone cards.

Authorities say he usually does away with any evidence in the security system, but in this case, he cut the power but never erased the video. He was caught on video by at least three cameras both inside and outside the grocery.

The spree began back on Saturday, December 14, around 6 a.m., when the suspect broke in to the Grand 99 Cents Store on Jamaica Avenue by cutting a hole in the roof.

Since then, police say he has struck six other businesses before being caught on camera at the Pioneer supermarket. He always targets cash registers, phone cards and lottery tickets.

He appears to wear a protective suit with his face covered, and he wears a flashlight on his head.

Now, the hard-working owner of the Pioneer, who works about 16 hours a day, is seeking payback.

"Seven to eleven, every single day," Idanni Rivas said. "That's a lot of time, a lot of work...I want to catch him forever. Go to jail for whole life."

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS (8477).